Rotary engine compressor and the like



I April 13, 1933- c. E. TRUBE 1,904,392

ROTARY ENGINE COMPRESSOR AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 28. 1930 4 'Shets-Sheet1 IN VEN TOR.

' v ATTORNEYS.

April 18, 1933. c. E. TRUBE ROTARY ENGINE COMPRESSOR AND THE LIKE 4Sheeta Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 28. 1930 IN V EN TOR. cf. M

:ITTORNEYS.

April 18, 1933. c. E. TRUBE ROTARY ENGINE COM PRESSOR AND 4 Sheets-Sheet3 v Filed Jan. 28. 1930 INVENTOR.

24 v MM ATTORNEYS.

April 1933- c. E. TRUBE ,892

ROTARY ENGINE COIPRESSOR AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 28, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet4 y A TTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARL E. TRUBE, OFOSSINING, NEW YORK; SARAH M. TRUBE, ADMINISTRATRIX OF SAID CARL E.TRUBE, DECEASED, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'IO WILLIAM L. HUGE,

OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY ROTARY ENGINE COMPRESSOR AND THE LIKEApplication filed January 28, 1880. Serial No. 428,922.

This invention relates to machines and mechanisms, such as rotaryinternal combustion engines, rotary steam engines, rotary compressors,and the like, wherein a plurality of pistons rotatin in a continuousannular cylinder are emp oyed in converting gaspressures into pistonmovement, or vice versa, and particularly to machines of this generalcharacter wherein the pistons are adapted to have a relative movementtoward and away from each other while rotating about the central axis ofan annular cylinder; and to correlated inventions and discoveriesappertaining thereto.

In general, it is an object of the invention to provide a machine of thecharacter set forth, which is simple, sturdy and permanent inconstruction, which may be readily and economically manufactured andassembled, and which will efiiciently accomplish the purposes for whichit is intended.

Among the other objects of the invention are the provision of improvedmeans for transmitting power between a rotatable shaft and pistonscapable of a combined angular and reciprocatory movement; the provisionof a machine having improved operating characteristics; and theprovision of a machine which occupies a relatively small space and whichis relatively light in weight.

Another object is the provision of a machine wherein the relativemovement of the parts is such as to secure a particularly eflicientutilization of power.

Another object is the provision of a'machine wherein the parts are soconstructed and arranged that the stresses due to operation will bedistributed so as to assure the long life of the machine.

Another object is the provision of a simple and compact machine whereinthe wearing effects due to lateral twisting forces are minimized.

Another object is to provide improved means for connecting a rotatablemember with members movable angularly about the axis thereof.

Other objects of the invention will in part bzfa obvious and will inpart appear hereina ter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying the invention withportions broken away to reveal the working parts;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view showing the sleeves and associatedmembers with portions thereof cut away, and showing also a portion ofthe shaft;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section with certain of the parts shown inelevation;

Fig. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic face view of certain parts of themechanism;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are similar views showing the arts in variouspositions;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of portions of a machine such asexemplified arranged v to operate as an internal combustion engine; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of portions of a machine such asexemplified arranged to operate as an engine operated by externallyevolved fluid pressure, or as a compressor.

In a machine of the character under consideration, it is desirable toconnect the pistons with a suitable driven elementin the case of anengine-, or to a suitable driving element-in the case of a compressor,by means of mechanism which assures an eflicient transmission of power,which has a long life, which is compactly arranged, in which vibrationdue to the varying movement of the parts is minimized to an extentrequired by practical considerations, and which is compactly arrangedand of relatively light weight. Various mechanisms involving camcontrolled rollers and linkwork have been proposed for use in such amachine, it being the general practice to pivotally mount the rollers atthe corners of an equilateral link-work which is deformed from square torhomb shape and vice versa in the course of movement of the rollers,each link being pivotally connected at its center to one or another ofcrank arms having a movement corresponding to that of the pistons, the

radius of each crank arm being equal to half 7 the length of each link.Such mechanisms, so far as is known, are inherently incapable ofarrangement in such manner that the same will operate efficiently fromthe practical standpoint and at the same time have sufli cient strengthand resistance to wear permanentliy and efficiently to carry the loadsimpose upon them. The present invention contemplates the provision of amachine whereby these and other disadvantages are overcome, and whichembodies, among other features, a practical and workable connectingmechanism of a character such that power is applied in a particularlyeflicient and even manner.

In the exemplified embodiment of the invention there is provided anannular cylinder 12, the greater portion of the walls of which areformed of oppositely disposed members 13 and 14 arranged to provide anannular opening along the inner surface of the cylinder. Within thecylinder there are a plurality of pistons arranged in sets, each setbeing integral with, or suitably connected to, one of a plurality ofrotatable discs, the majorportion of the peripheral surfaces of whichprovide part of the cylinder walls. In order to minimize the number ofthese discs, it is desirable to provide a minimum number of piston sets,and it is ordinarily desirable to have the pistons arranged indiametrically opposed pairs, particularly when the machine is to be usedas an internal combustion engine. In the present instance, there areprovided diametrically opposed pistons 16a and 16?) on a disc 16 anddiametrically opposed pistons 17 a and 17?) on a disc 17.

In the exemplified construction the element which is driven by thepistons or which drives the pistons, as the case may be, consists of acentral rotatable shaft 18. A sleeve 19, movable with the disc 16, isrotatably mounted on the shaft 18; and a sleeve 20, movable with thedisc 17, is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 19. In order to connect thesleeves 19 and 20 with the shaft 18 there is provided suitable meanscomprising linkwork carrying control elements guided by a cam surface,whereby the rotating and reciprocating movements of the sleeves may becombined in a rotating movement of the shaft.

As will be seen particularly from Fig. 2 the sleeve 20 carries at itsouter end a crank 22, and the sleeve 19 projects slightly beyond the endof the sleeve 20 and carries on its projecting portion a crank 21. Thecentral portion of each crank is recessed to receive the other. Thecranks 21 and 22 are arranged, in

the present instance, with diametrically opposed arms 49 and 50 and 51and 52, respectively, movable in a single plane. Pivotally secured tothe ends of the crank arms are suitable pairs of diverging links or linkmembers; there being pr vided, in the present instance, a link 23 and alink 24 on each arm. The outer end of each link 24 on one crank ispivotally connected to the outer end of a link 23 on the other crank;and a suitable control element such as a roller 26 is rotatably mounted,in the present instance, at such pivotal connection. The rollers 26 arearranged to move within a cam member 27 providlng an internal camsurface designed to permit such roller movement as will properly controlthe relative link movement in the linkwork.

The links 23 and 24 connected to each crank arm may be integral witheach other, but, preferably, and as exemplified, are made independent soas to permit relative angular movement between the two. By such aconstruction relative movement between adj acent rollers is permitted,so as to prevent excessive strain on the parts as the normal relativepositions thereof are altered slightly from wear, as in the bearings andon the cam surface. This feature, moreover, permits the construction ofa machine wherein power is transmitted between the pistons and the shaftthrough the medium of mechanism arranged to operate most effectivelywhen adjacent control elements move with respect to each other.

In a machine of the character under consideration it is of extremeimportance to minimize lateral twisting forces and to avoid, as far aspossible, any unbalanced thrusts. Not only does this render possible theprovision of a compact, relatively light-weight machine havingsuflicientstrength to withstand its operation requirements, but alsogreatly extends the life of the machine. With these ends in view, thepresent machine comprises duplicate links 23' disposed on the oppositeside of the crank arms and rollers from the links 23 and duplicate links24 disposed on the opposite side of the crank arms and rollers from thelinks 24. Thus, in the present instance, links are provided in theduplicate on each side of a plane perpendicular to the cam surface andintersecting this surface, so that lateral twisting forces between thecrank arms and the rollers are substantially eliminated, the thrustsexerted by these members mounted rotatable sleeve 29 to the ends ofwhich the outer ends of a set of links 2323' are secured. The inner endsof each set of links 24-24 are secured to the ends of a pin 30 carryinga centrally mounted rotatable sleeve 31 to the ends of which the outerends of the set of links 2323 are secured. The rollers are rotatablymounted on the sleeves 29 and the crank arms are pivotally mounted onthe sleeves 31 so that each of these memhers is movably mounted on asleeve and is held against lateral movement by the links 2323 which aresecured to the sleeves. Lateral movement of the sleeves is prevented bythe links 24-24' which are secured to the solid pins. As will be seen,all forces trans mitted by the links 24 and 24 and 23 and 23' will betaken up and distributed over the laterally extending bearing surfacebetween the pins and the sleeves. Wear on the surfaces of the linksthemselves is avoided. The linkwork is kept from being twisted out ofalignment, due to the fact that all link and roller forces are balanced.It will be obvious that in a machine of the type under consideration theavoidance of excessive wear, as well as the avoidance of unusualstrains, is of particular importance in order that a machine which worksefficiently and has a su'fliciently long life for practical purposes maybe provided.

In order that power may be transmitted to or from the shaft, as the casemay be, the mechanism already described is interconnected, preferably bymeans including one or more pivotally mounted links. I have found thatit is of importance to join the roller link-work with a shaft-link at apoint internally of the outer pivotal connection of the roller linkssuch as the links 23 and 24, and preferably at a point well within anangle having its vertex on the axis of the shaft and its sidesintersecting the pivot points on the link to which it is connected, thebest results being ordinarily obtained by having this point ofconnection in the inner part of the central half of such-an angle, i.e., inthat portion of the middle section of a link, such as 23 or 24,which is adjacent the. crank to which such link is connected.

In the present instance there is pivotally connected to each end of acrank 32, which is fixedly mounted on the shaft 18, a hookshapedshaft-link 33, the exemplified link being formed with a pair of spacedarms 34 which extend on opposite sides of the crank and tend to preventlateral twisting forces at the point of connection. Each link extendsoutwardly adjacent a link 24 and laterally beyond the same as at 35 andis formed with a portion 36 which extends inwardly between the link 24and a corresponding link 24', and is pivotally connected with theselinks by means of a pivot pin 37 which is mounted on the links. 24 and24 at a point between pins 28 and 30 and somewhat nearer the latter thanthe former pin. This point of connection not only permits a linkarrangement wherein lateral twisting forces are minimized and wherebythe construction of a compact machine, the parts of which have thedesired strength and size, is assured; but also results in a reductionof the moment of inertia in the shaft-link itself and in the stress inthis link as (ompared with a construction wherein this link is connectedat the outer end of a link member. This feature of construction alsopermits a greater freedom in the relative arrangement of the associatedelements and permits the construction of a smoother running machine, onewherein the application of force is more effectively controlled, itbeing observed that in a construction wherein the kinematic applicationof force to or by the shaft is made dependent upon the positions of acrank and a roller, for example, a wide range of possibilities in thedesign of a smooth running and compact machine is opened up.

As will be seen more particularly from Fig. 4, each of the links 23 and24 and 23 and 24' has a length from pivot point to pivot point which isgreater than the radius of the arms of the cranks 21 and 22. There thusresults, in the present instance, a star-shaped configuration of thelinks which provides a recess or concavity between adjacent rollers soas to provide ample room for the movement of the laterally extendingportion 35 of the hookshaped shaft-links 33. The provision of such arecess permits the lateral portion of each of these links to be madesufiiciently strong to withstand the maximum stresses which may beimposed upon it and at the same time to clear the cam surface whichguides the rollers. An arrangement such as exemplified permits areduction in the wear of the parts and in bringing all of the partscloser to the axis of the shaft and also permits a constructionembodying rollers having a relatively large radius and the ready designof the cam having the desired characteristics for. efficient operation:and permits the construction of a machine having a smaller overalldiameter thanwould be the case in a machine of equal capacity having aparallel sided link-work. The provision of a machine having relativelylong roller links, moreover, permits the design of a cam having asmoother curve than would otherwise be the case; so

that the stress and wear in the parts is minimized and the constructionof a smooth running machine having a long life is facilitated. It willbe apparent, moreover, that the use of a mechanism including my improvedtype of link-work gives rise to no mechanical or dynamic disadvantage.

It will be apparent that the mounting of a connecting link intermediatethe pivot points on the crank arms, which turn with the pistons, and onthe adjacent control elements, as

well as the provision of a recess for the reception of a laterallyextending portion of this link, and certain other features of theinvention, are features independent of the provision of separate linkmembers, such as 23 and 24, and are of advanta e in machines whereincentrally pivoted lin s composed of integral link members are pivotallyconnected at their outer ends with thelink members of other centrallypivoted links.

The actual point of connection of a shaft link with a roller link willbe determined by the size and formation of the various parts such as thecontrol elements, links and cam, and by the requirements of themechanism for the even transmission of power, it ing ordinarilypreferable to mount this link in the inner or central half of the angleabove described and preferably toward the side of the angle adjacent thepivot connecting the link and a crank arm.

In Fig. 8 there is illustrated diagrammatically a cylinder arrangementin a machine such as described above which is adapted to be utilized asan internal combustion engine. A portion of the cylinder is providedwith a recess 39 in which is disposed a spark plug 40, and openingsproviding an intake port 41 and an exhaust port 42 are provided in anopposite portion of the wall, preferably on either side of a diameter ofthe cylinder which is disposed beyond the spark plug in the direction ofmovement of the pistons. The actual location of ports in any givenmachine may be determined by the timing desired.

Fig. 9 illustrates diagrammaticall 8. cylinder arrangement in a machinesuc as described which is adapted to be utilized as a compressor, steamengine or an analogous device. In this arrangement intake ports 45 and46 are provided at diametrically op osed points and diametricallyopposed e aust ports 47 and 48 are at points adjacent the aforesaidports.

The manner of operation of a machine such as exemplified, will bereadily apparent from the foregoing. Movement of the adjacent ones ofthe pistons away from each other, as, for example, upon the explosion ofa charge in an internal combustion en ine, will e accompanied by arotation of t e pistons at varying speeds and a movement of the controlelements and link-work from the position shown in Fig. 4, through theposition shown in Fig. 7, to the position shown in Fig. 5, thence to theposition shown inFig. 6, and thence to a position which is symmetricalwith the position shown in Fig. 4. In the meantime each of the pins 37connecting the hook-shaped links 33 with the links 24 has traversed apath such that the ends of the shaft-crank 32 are moved at a constantspeed about the-axis of the shaft, due to the varying an'gularity of thehook-shaped links. Thus,

the rotation of the shaft will be constant, while movement of crankssuch as the cranks 21 and 22 will be a combined rotation and relativereci rocation.

There is t us provided a mechanism which is equally adapted for use inthe transmission of power in various types of rotary engines an inrotary compressors and which can be incorporated in a simple and compactmachine. A mechanism embodying the invention as especially adapted forthe efiicient transmission of power can be readily utilized in variousforms and is adapted to be so constructed as to resist wear andstresses, such as would materially shorten the life and easily breakdown an ordinary machine.

While the member which is driven by power derived from the pistons, orwhich supplies the power to drive the pistons as the case may be, is,for the sake of facility of expression, referred to as a shaft in theappended claims, it is to be understood that the term shaft as usedtherein is not too limited to any particular type of rotatable driven ordriving member, but is to be understood as embracing any type ofrotatable member which may serve the purposes of a shaft.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescri ed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which as amatter of Ian age might be said to fall therebetween.

aving described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby .Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatableshaft, an annular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons arranged torotate within said cylinder and to move angularly with respect to eachother, means providing an internal cam surface, a plurality of controlelements movable alon said cam surface, means including link-worfi forconnecting said control elements with each set of pistons, and meansincluding a link pivoted to the aforesaid link-work at a point spaced asubstantial distance internally of said control elements for connectingsaid link-work with said shaft.

2. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatableshaft, an annular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons arranged torotate within said cylinder and to move angularlywith respect to eachother, means including pivoted link-work connecting said piston sets onewith another, means to control the movement of said link-work and meanspivoted to an intermediate link of said link-work at a point spaced asubstantial distance from each of a pair of its pivot points to connectsaid link-work with said shaft.

3. Ina machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatableshaft, an annular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons arranged torotate within said cylinder and to move angularly with respect to eachother, a plurality of control elements, means including link-work forconnecting said control elements with each of said sets of istons, andmeans including a Z-shaped lin -work for connecting one of said controlelements with said rotatable shaft.

4. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatableshaft, an annular cylinder, a pluralit of sets of pistons movable withinsaid cy inder, means uniting the pistons in each set, means providing aninternal cam surface, a plurality of control elements movable along saidcam surface, link-work pivoted to each of said uniting means andarranged to connect each uniting means to said control elements, andmeans including a link pivoted to the aforesaid linkwork at a pointwithin an an le having its vertex on the axis of said shaft and havinits sides intersecting a pivot point where sai link-work joins one ofsaid uniting means and a pivot point on said link-work adjacent one ofsaid control elements for connecting said link-work to said shaft.

5. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable shaft, anannular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons, a crank movable witheach piston set, a pair of link members pivoted to each crank arm, oneof the link members of each pair being pivotally connected to a linkmember forming one of a pair connected to an adjacent crank arm, controlelements carried at the outer ends of said link members, a controllingcam, a crank on said shaft, and a link pivoted to said latter crank andpivoted to one of the aforesaid link members at a point within an anglehaving its vertex on the axis of said shaft and its sides intersectingthe pivot points of one of said link members.

6. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable shaft, anannular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons, a crank movable witheach piston set, a pair of link members pivoted to each crank arm, oneof the link members of each pair being pivotally connected to a linkmember forming one of a pair connected to an adjacent crank arm, controlelements carried at the outer ends of said link members, a controllingcam, a crank on said shaft, and a link pivoted to said latter crank andpivotedto one of the aforesaid link members at a point within thecentral half of the angle having its vertex on the axis of said shaftand its sides intersecting {)lze pivot points of said one of said linkmema rotatable shaft, an annular cylinder, a plu-' rality of sets ofpistons, a crank movable with each piston set, a pair of link memberspivoted to each crank arm, one of the link members of each pair beingpivotally connected to a link member forming one of a pair connected toan adjacent crank arm, control elements carried at the outer ends ofsaid link members, a controlling cam, the distance between the pivotpoints on each of said link members being greater than half the distancebetween the adjacent points'of connection of pairs of link members.

8. In a machine of the character described,

a rotatable shaft, an annular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons,a crank movable with each piston set, a pair of link members. pivoted toeach crank arm, one of the link mem- 7 In a machine of the characterdescribed,

bers of each pair being pivotally connected to a link member forming oneof a pair connected to an adjacent crank arm, control elements carriedat the outer ends of said link members, a controlling cam, the distancebetween the pivot points on each of said link members being greater thanhalf the distance between the adjacent points of connection of pairs oflink members, and means includin a link pivotally connected to one ofsaid lin members intermediate its pivot points, for connecting theaforesaid link-work to said shaft.

9. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable shaft, anannular cylinder, a plurality of pistons movable within said cylinderand arranged in diametrically-opposed pairs, a crank movable with eachpair of pistons and having arms correspondlng to each piston, a linkpivotally connected to each crank arm, adjacent pairs of links beingpivotally connected one with another, a control element carried at theinterconnected ends of said links, and a cam surface providing a guidefor said control elements, a crank on said shaft, and means providing apivoted link connection between said shaft crank and one of theaforesaid links, the point of connection with said link being includedin an angle having its vertex at the center of the shaft and its sidesbetween the pivot points on one of said links.

10. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable shaft, anannular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons, means providing acontrolling cam surface, control elements movable along said surface, acrank having a movement corresponding to the movement of each pistonset, pivoted link connections between the ends of said crank and saidcontrol elements, bearings carried means including a link pivotallymounted on said bearings for transmitting movement between the aforesaidlinks and said shaft.

11. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatableshaft, an annular cylinder, a plurality ofsets of pistons arranged torotate within said cylinder and to move angularly with respect to eachother, means connectln said sets of pistons with said shaft, said meansincluding pivoted linkwork, control elements carried externall thereby,and acontrolling cam, said link-wor and said cam being arranged to movesaid control elements in a path outside of the path of movement of theinner pivot point of said link-work.

12. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable shaft, anannular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons arranged to rotatewithin said cylinder and tomove angularly with respect to each other, acrank movable with each piston set, a pair of. link members pivoted toeach crank arm, one of the link members of each pair being pivotallyconnected to a link member forming one of a pair connected to anadjacent crank arm, control elements carried at the outer ends of saidlink members, a controlling cam, said link members and said cam beingadapted to maintain said control elements at a greater distance from thecenter of said shaft than the radius of said cranks, and means includinga link to connect one of said link members to said shaft.

13. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatableshaft, an annular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons arranged torotate within said cylinder and to move angularly with respect to eachother,

means including link-work for connecting said sets of pistons with saidshaft, a plurality of control elements, and a cam surface arranged tolimit the movement of said control elements, each of said controlelements being mounted on said connecting means, and said connectingmeans being arranged to permit a relative angular movement between saidcontrol elements and said shaft.

14. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatableshaft, an annular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons arranged torotate within said cylinder and to move angularly with respect to eachother, means providing an internal cam surface, a plurality of controlelements movable along said cam surface, a pair of angularly movablepivotally connected link members disposed on one side of each of saidcontrol elements, a similar pair of link members disposed at the otherside of each control element, one link member of each pair beingconnected to one set of pistons and another link member of each pairbeing connected to another set of pistons, and means connecting theaforesaid link-work with said shaft.

15. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable shaft, anannular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons arranged to rotatewithin said cylinder and to move angularly with respect to each other, acrank movable with each piston set, a pair of link members pivoted toeach crank arm, one of the link members of each pair being pivotallyconnected to a link member forming one of a pair connected to anadjacent crank arm, control elements carried at the outer end of thepoint of connection of said link members, a controlling cam, each ofsaid link members being arranged in duplicate, one on each side of aplane intersecting said control elements, a crank on said shaft, andmeans to transmit power between said shaft-crank and certain duplicateones of said link members, said means being connected to said linkmembers at a point between the duplicate link members and between theends thereof.

16. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable shaft, anannular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons arranged to rotatewithin said cylinder and to move angularly with respect to each other, acrank movable with each piston set, a pair of link members pivoted toeach crank arm, one of the link members of each pair being pivotallyconnected to a link member forming one of a pair connected to anadjacent crank arm, control elements carried at the outer end of thepoint of connection of said link members, a controlling cam, each ofsaid link members being arranged in duplicate, one on each side of aplane intersecting said control elements, a crank on said shaft, and ahook-shaped link pivotally connected to duplicate link members at apoint between said duplicate link members and' intermediate the pivotpoints thereon and extending over one of the duplicate link members andbeing pivotally connected to said shaft crank.

17 In a machine of the character described, a rotatable shaft, anannular cylinder, a plurality of sets of istons arranged to rotatewithin said cylin er and to move angularly with respect to each other, acrank movable with each piston set, a pair of link members pivoted toeach crank arm, one of the link members of each pair being pivotallyconnected to a link member forming one of a pair connected to anadjacent crank arm, control elements carried at the outer end of thepoint of connection of said link members, a controlling cam, each ofsaid link members being arranged in duplicate, one on each side of aplane intersecting said control elements, a crank on said shaft, and ahook-shaped link pivotally connected to duplicate link members at apoint between said duplicate link members and intermediate the pivotpoints thereon and extending over one of the duplicate link members andbeing pivotally connected to said shaft crank, the outer edges of vide arecess for permitting the movement of said hook-shaped link in a pathinternally of the line connecting the pivot points on which said controlelements are mounted.

18. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatableshaft, an annular cylinder, a plurality of sets, of pistons arranged torotate within said cylinder and to move angularly with respect to eachother, a. crank connected to each set of pistons and mounted upon saidshaft for free movement upon the axis thereof, means providing an'internal cam surface, a plurality of control elements movable along saidsurface, pivotally connected pairs of duplicate sets of link membersserving to mount said control elements, the link member of each setbeing disposed on opposite sides of thecentral plane of said controlelements, one set of link members in each pair being connected to onearm of one of said cranks, a pivot pin extending between the linkmembers of one of said sets, a link mounted on said pivot pin andextending laterally of one link member in one of said sets, and meansfor connecting said link to said shaft. 1

19. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatableshaft, an annular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons arranged torotate within said cylinder and to move angularly with respect to eachother, a crank connected to each set of pistons and mounted upon saidshaft for free movement upon the axis thereof, means providing aninternal cam surface, a plurality of control elements movable along saidsurface, pivotally connected pairs of duplicate sets of link membersserving to mount said control elements, the link member of each setbeing disposed on opposite sides. of the central plane of said controlelements, one set of link members in each pair being connected to onearm of one of said cranks, a pivot pin extending between the linkmembersof one of said sets, a hookshaped link mounted on said pivot pin andextending laterally of one link member in one of said sets, and meansfor connecting said link to said shaft, said link members being arrangedto allow the movement of the laterally extending portion of saidhookshaped link in a path intersecting a line connecting the points atwhich adjacent control elements are mounted.

20. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotatableshaft, an annular cylinder, a plurality of sets of pistons arranged torotate within said cylinder and to move angularly with respect to eachother, a crank connected to each set of pistons and mounted upon saidshaft for free movement upon the axis thereof, means providing aninternal cam surface, a plurality of control elements movable alon saidsurface, pivotally connected pairs of duplicate sets of linkmembersserving to mount said control elements, the link member of each setbeing disposed on opposite sides of the central plane of said controlelements, one set of link members in each pair being connected to onearm of one of said cranks, a pivot pin extending between the linkmembers of one of said sets, a hook-shaped link mounted on said pivotpin and extending laterally of one link member in one of said sets, andmeans for connecting said link to said shaft, said link members beingarranged to allow the movement of the laterally extending portion ofsaid hook-shaped link in a path intersecting a line connecting thepolnts at which adjacent control elements are mounted, the outer edgesof certain of said link members being displaced inwardly between theirends to provide space for th movement of said hook-shaped link.

21. In a mechanism of the character described, a plurality of cranksarranged for angular movement and relative reciprocation on a singleaxis, a plurality of control elements, link-work connecting said cranksand said control elements, said link-work being arranged in the shape ofa star and including link arms extending externally and diversely fromeach crank arm at a point internal of the control elements to adjacentcontrol elements, respectively, two link arms, each of which extends toa different crank arm, being pivotally connected at each controlelement, and means to connect said linkwork with a rotatable member.

22. In a mechanism of the character described, in combination, arotatable shaft, a plurality of cranks arranged to rotate about a singleaxis and to move angular-1y with respect to each other, a plurality ofcontrol elements, a controlling cam, means including pivoted link-Workfor connecting said cranks one to another, said link-work including linkmembers each pivotally connected with a link member from another crank,one of saidcontrol elements being mounted on said link-work at a pointadjacent each of the latter connections, the length of each link memberbetween the pivot points thereon being greater than the distance fromthe axis of a crank to the pivot point thereon, and means to connectsaid link-work to said shaft.

23. In a mechanism of the character described, in combination, arotatable shaft, a plurality of cranks arranged to rotate about a singleaxis and to move angularly with respect to each other, a plurality ofcontrol elements, a controlling cam, means including pivoted link-workfor connecting said cranks one to another, said, link-work includinglink members each pivotally connected with a link member. from anothercrank, one of said control elements being mounted on said link-work at apoint adjacent each of the latter connections, the length of each linkmember between the pivot points thereon being greater than the distancefrom the axis of a crank to the pivot point thereon, a crank on saidshaft, and means to connect said link-work to said shaft, thelast-mentioned means including a link pivotally connected to one of saidlink members at a point intermediate its pivotal connection with one ofsaid plurality of cranks and its pivotal connection with another linkmember.

24. In a mechanism of the character described, a air of crank membersadapted to rotate a ut a single axis at relatively varying periodicspeeds, such that the speed of rotation of one crank is acceleratingwhile the speed of rotation of the other crank is decelerating and viceversa, each of said crank members having oppositely disposed arms,link-work connecting said arms, control elements pivotally carried atpoints in said link-work intermediate adjacent arms, a controlling camfor said control elements, a rotatable member, a crank thereon, and alink pivoted to said latter crank and pivotally connected to theaforesaid link- Work at a point between the point of connection of saidlink-work to 'a crank arm and the point at which one of the pairs ofcontrol elements which are proximate to said crank arm is mounted onsaid link-work.

25. In mechanism of the character described, a plurality of cranksarranged for angular movement and relative reciprocation on a singleaxis, a plurality of control elements, link-work connecting said cranksand said control elements, said link-work being arranged in the shape ofa star and including link arms extending externally and diversely fromeach crank arm at a point internal of the control elements to adjacentcontrol elements, respectively, two link arms, each of which extends toa different crank arm, being pivotally connected at each controlelement, and means pivotally mounted on said linkwork intermediate acontrol element and a crank arm to connect said link-Work with arotatable member.

26. In a mechanism of the character described, a plurality of crank armsmovable on a common axis, a similar number of elements movable in acourse external to said crank arms and each disposed intermediate to twoadjacent crank arms, a pair of link members connecting each externalelement with one adjacent crank arm, and a pair of link membersconnecting each external ele ment with the other adjacent crank arm, apin extending through each external element, a sleeve rotatably mountedon each of said pins and providing a bearing for the respective externalelement, the ends of each sleeve extending beyond the sides of theexternal element and the ends of each pin extending beyond the ends ofthe sleeve, means rotatably mounted on each crank arm and roviding' twolink-mounting portions beyond each side of the crank arm, one pair oflinks from each external element to a crank arm being secure on themounting portions adjacent the crank arms and to the ends of the sleeveat the external element and the other pair of links from each externalelement to a crank arm being secured to the end-mounting portionselements carried at the outer ends of said link members, a controllingcam, a crank on said shaft, and a link pivoted to said latter crank andpivoted to one of the'aforesaid link members at a point within an anglehaving its vertex on the axis of said shaft and its side intersectingthe pivot points of one of said link members.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CARL E. TRUBE.

